Top Searches:

Jain site with Bahubali image deemed protected

A hillock with Jain rock carvings in Villupuram district, dating back more than 1,000 years, has been declared a protected monument by the state government.

| TNN | Updated: Aug 30, 2017, 07:04 IST

The monument, with an image of icon Bahubali, is one of the few in important Jain sites in Tamil Nadu

CHENNAI: A hillock with Jain rock carvings in Villupuram district, dating back more than 1,000 years, has been declared a protected monument by the state government. The monument, with an image of icon Bahubali, is one of the few in Tamil Nadu that prove Jainism thrived in the region in the past.

In a recent notification, tourism, culture and religious endowments secretary Apurva Varma, said Andi Malai, located at Solavandipuram village in Tirukovilur taluk and filled with Jain sculptures, beds and inscriptions, was declared protected under the Tamil Nadu Ancient and Historical Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act. It is aimed at preventing vandals from destroying the important monuments and buisnessmen from carrying out any quarrying activities.

Jain scholar K Ajithadoss said Andi Malai was the 21st Jain site to be declared a protected monument by the state government. Another 48 are under the purview of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), he said, adding that every ancient Jain temple in Tamil Nadu had a Bahubali idol. "The Andi Malai hillock has carvings that can be traced to the 10th century. Parshwanath, Mahavir, Dharma Devi and Padmavati are the other images that are found," he said.

Bahubali was the son of Rishaba, the first Jain Tirthankara. He defeated his brother Bharath at a time when the latter attempted to conquer various kingdoms, including that ruled by Bahubali. Later, he (Bahubali) attained salvation. "There are around 135 Jain sites with temples in the state, most of them in Kancheepuram, Cuddalore, Vellore, Villupuram and Tiruvannamalai. In the case of carvings on boulders and caves, we can find the images of Bahubali," Ajithadoss said. Several inscriptions show that Jainism's connections with Tamil Nadu date back more than 2,000 years.

All Comments ()+^ Back to Top

Characters Remaining: 3000

Continue without login

or

Login from existing account

FacebookGoogleEmail

Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Refrain from posting comments that are obscene, defamatory or inflammatory, and do not indulge in personal attacks, name calling or inciting hatred against any community. Help us delete comments that do not follow these guidelines by marking them offensive. Let's work together to keep the conversation civil.